Author Topic: Torsion Bars  (Read 3648 times)

Offline DirksCuda

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 291
Torsion Bars
« on: June 01, 2016 - 09:18:05 PM »
 I took the torsion bars out of my 70 Cuda and gave one to buddy that was going to have 2 new ones made up for me. well long story short he lost it and they don't make them at his factory anymore. The one I have is marked 780 R I think they where 92 dim. What I need to know is the left a 781L and wheres a good place to buy a new set.In Canada if possible Thanks Dirk




Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2016 - 09:28:43 PM »
I'm in Canada as well but Firm Feel is the only place I trust for torsion bars. I've bought a few sets from them over the years. I'd strongly advise going bigger than the factor made. Go over 1" for sure. I have 1.120" in mine

http://www.firmfeel.com/
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline anlauto

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12328
  • I'm Alan G...I'm a Mopar Addict
    • Alan Gallant Automotive Restoration
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2016 - 09:42:18 PM »
Go to the Chrysler Dealer, the ones they sell are "Made in Canada" :2thumbs:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 9341
  • Miss NIKKI - were you this hot at 48?
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2016 - 10:44:19 PM »
I agree w Brad... FF and getem' BIG  :grinyes:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
https://www.aanddtruckautoparts.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-D-Truck-and-Auto-Parts/67427352555?ref=hl

Offline dodj

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6197
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2016 - 08:48:00 AM »
If you want original size and spec, do what alan suggested. If you want toimprove the handling of your car and are not concerned with originality,  go aftermarket.  PST sells 1.02 bars.  Firm feel sells even larger bars.  I have the 1.02" bars.  Happpy with them. I'd probably be happy with 1.18 as well but pst was a better price
« Last Edit: June 06, 2016 - 10:54:24 PM by dodj »
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline shadango

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 3920
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2016 - 08:46:49 AM »
I have the 1.02 PST bars and love them....

Also have their front sway bar.

Offline DadsCuda

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2016 - 04:24:38 AM »
i'm pigging backing here, and i'm sure i've asked before (still haven't tackled the front brake conversion, yet!!), but i'm pulling my hair out, over here...
my 67 is a project that just keeps testing me...every time i have help, life throws a curve ball and i'm on my own again (i jumped into this pretty blind, so help is like gold for me!)...
here's where i'm at:
'torsion bars are dangerous! don't do that front end work yourself!'...can you help me?...*crickets*
so after TONS of research online, looking at pics, reading articles, pouring over my Haynes manual...im on a roller coaster of 'oh god! i'm gonna lose an arm if i do this wrong!' to 'just do it! you're not stupid! you can figure it out!'

so here's my question, torsion bar people:
can anyone please guide me in the right direction with pics (i'm a visual learning) as to where to jack up the front end to release the load on the front end so that i can loosen the t-bar adjuster without losing any limbs...i just want to replace some bushings and bump stops and get my disc conversion taken care of. i'm not replacing the t-bar, I just need to take the pressure off that spring.

can anyone please advise? (also, working without a lift, on stands, in a tight carport)  :pullinghair: :rebel:

Offline lulurocks

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 328
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2016 - 06:15:34 AM »


See video link ,  if your visual there are more youtube videos on torsion bars...


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-YNoYLVX7TE

Offline DadsCuda

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2016 - 07:52:58 AM »
Thank you!
(Also...that flag emoji was a mistake. Lol)

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2016 - 09:54:10 PM »
T gars are the safest suspension system IMO  they cannot ome flying out at you !
 once you have the wheels hanging just back off the adjuster bolt inside the control arm & the load is removed , the easiest way to remove them is to remove the retiner clip behind the bar in the back socket & loosen the lower control arm bolt & caster strut & pry everything back as 1 between the K frame & lower control arm .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline DadsCuda

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #10 on: June 09, 2016 - 03:28:12 AM »
T gars are the safest suspension system IMO  they cannot ome flying out at you !
 once you have the wheels hanging just back off the adjuster bolt inside the control arm & the load is removed , the easiest way to remove them is to remove the retiner clip behind the bar in the back socket & loosen the lower control arm bolt & caster strut & pry everything back as 1 between the K frame & lower control arm .

Thank you! I think my brother is just being over protective & macho! ;)
Mostly I just wanted to make sure I'm jacking the car up at the right point. It's on stands now but I should use a jack to lift the front wheels more, right? That's the part I'm trying to get the proper placement for...that seems to be the key to making sure it all goes well.

Offline purple1

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1820
  • Worlds first e-body trailer. Member since 3/10/05
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2016 - 08:03:59 AM »
Thank you! I think my brother is just being over protective & macho! ;)
Mostly I just wanted to make sure I'm jacking the car up at the right point. It's on stands now but I should use a jack to lift the front wheels more, right? That's the part I'm trying to get the proper placement for...that seems to be the key to making sure it all goes well.

Do not lift the front wheels. Take all the load off of them and the suspension. Place your jack stands under the front frame. Then as CP says just loosen the adjuster nut in the lower control arm. Remove the clip in the back and then you can remove the bars. It may be tough to get the bars out. They make a tool that clamps on to the bar so you can use a hammer and get them to move back.

Dave


Worlds first e-body trailer.    Severna Park, Maryland

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2016 - 08:26:37 AM »
You can support the car anywhere along the frame rails or K frame .
 if you need to raise the car more jacking under the wheels is not really safe as the jack can roll out , but using a block on the jack will get more height . just make sure the wheels are hanging at full drop , remove the shock first to get the wheels to drop down further , then undo the 3/4" bolt inside the lower control arm , penetrating oil would be good as the bolts probably have not been turned in a lot of years !

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline CUDA JAS

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2292
  • vroooooom!
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2016 - 12:41:01 PM »
You want to lift form the center of the K frame and place the stands on the frame.  Here is a pic showing where I put the stands when I rebuilt my front suspension a few years ago...also with no lift and in a small one car garage.






74 'cuda 360/727



Gearhead: car nut, automotive enthusiast, one who loves hot rods, muscle cars, hot trucks, burnin' rubber and neck snapping performance. 

Just call me a gearhead!

Offline DadsCuda

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 73
Re: Torsion Bars
« Reply #14 on: June 10, 2016 - 03:16:32 PM »
Great!! Thank you for the visual.